Valve



Sept. 12, 1944. E. DILLMAN ETAL VAL E .Filed May 4, 1959 INVENTORS M E an: V 5Q 6. Gigi do.

MATTORNEY Patented Sept. 12, 1944 VALVE amt J. Dillman and WilliamE. Cowley, ne-

trolt, Mich, assignors to Detroit Lubricator Michigan Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Application May 4, 1939, Serial No. 271,756

13 Claims.

Our invention relates generally to valves, and more particularly to valves which control'flow of liquid refrigerant to a refrigerating evaporator.

An object/of our invention is to provide ag-asretain its alignment with the'valve seat upon sub-' sequent withdrawal of the needle from the seat after original alignment. The invention consists. in the improved construction and combination of parts'fto be'more fully described hereinafter and thenovelty of which willv be particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed.-

In-the accompanying drawing, tube taken as a part of this specification, we have fully and clearly illustrated a preferred embodiment of our invention, in which drawing- Figure 1'is a view in central vertical section of our valve; t Fig. 2 is a view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, in the direction of the arrows, with the resilient disk removed;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the resilient disk;

4 Referring to the drawing by"'characters r of reference/ and particularly to Fig. 1, the numeral I designates generally a valve casting or body member, preferably a metallic casting, having a triangular, narrow neck portion or extension 2 separating the casting, l into an upper or heat exchangeimember 3 and a lower or valve casing 4. An upward diverging or flaringflange 4!, ex-

tends upward from the extension 2 and surrounds the upper cylindrical end or hubjportion Fig. 4 is a view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig.

peening; asat I0.

4 of the casting i. An open ended cylindrical chamber 5 is located within and opens through "the lower end 6 of the valve casing 4. A dished,

circular, plate-like member 1, which seats on the end of the casting I, has a central aperture 8 therethrough and -an upturned, continuous flange portion 9 extending from. its peripheral edge 9%. The hub portion 4* is positioned concentrically within the flange 4 and at its top end -is receivediwithin and closes the central aperture 8 in-a'fluid tight manner, such as by The peripheral portion '9 of the plate-like member Tis' sealed, as by solder, to the flange'land cooperates therewith, and with the hub; portion 4 to form an annular or doughnut-like chamber IL, The chamber .II or diffused passageway portion hasan inlet passageway. 12 within an inlet boss I2 and opening horizontally through the flange 4 adjacent the neck 2, and which may be connected to a'source of fluid supply; An outlet passageway. generally designated l3, leads.i-rom the chamber ll into the open ended "chamber 5, and thence through a laterally extending outlet boss l3 for'connection to a discharge pipe and positioned on the opposite side of the neck 2 from the chamber II. The passageway l3 has its inlet port l3" opening through theslde wall of the hub portion 4* on the opposite side from passageway l2 so-that the fluid must have an extended or circuitous travel through chamber II. A strainer member ll surrounds the hub portion '4" within the chamber II and is held in position by an annular rib I! t acts. tg stbp any foreignmatter which may be entrained in the fluid from entering the passage-f ,way l3 and-clogging the passageway or valve port 'l 5 through a seat member i6 screw-threaded into the passageway I3 through the upper end wall of and at the entrance to the chamber 5.

The chamber 5 is closed at its open lower end I portion by a closure member l'l screw-threaded,

as at i8, into the chamber 5 and sealed, as by solder, to the lower end 6 of the casting I. A

'bolii-likeadjustment member I! has an external-. 1y threaded portionflr which-is receivedbyjn;

internally threaded portion 2| of an aperture 22 which extends centrally through the member 11 and opens into the chamberv 5. The adjustment member i9 extends upward from the portion through the aperture 22 toward the chamber 5, and;"=;terminates in a cone-shaped portion 23.

jFluld. flow't'hr'oughthe aperture 22 along the member I3 is prevented by means of a packing material 23 which surrounds the member l3 adjacent the portion 23 and is held under compression between annular washer members 24, 25 which are held against shoulders in-the aperture 22. The member 24 is held against its shoulder by the expansive force of the compressed packing material, and the member 25 is held against its shoulder by a peened portion 26. The packing material is preferably'such that it is not affected by the application of heat necessary to solder the adjustment member l3, as at 26, to the closure member I! subsequent to final adjustment thereof as a further means to prevent flow of fluid from the chamber past the adjustment member l3. Downward movement of the member i3 is limited by the engagement of a flange portion carried by the member i3, with the washer member 25 so that in adjustment the member |3 can not be removed from the closure member I1 and packing material. A tubular valve carrier or housing member 21 having an end wall 28 facing the upper end wall of chamber 5 is guided for reciprocal movement within the chamber 5 and has rigidly secured therein against a downward facing shoulder 28 thereof, as by a press-fit, a flanged annular member 23. The horizontal end flange of member 23 is spaced by the shoulder 28" from the wall 28 so that it cooperates with the wall 23 to form a pair of spaced abutments 33, 3|. A second tubular valve carrier member 32 is loosely received within the annular member 23 and has a flange portion 33 located intermediate the spaced abut ments 30, 3| and seating on the abutment 0r flange 3|. The bore of the tubular member 32 is screw-threaded to adjustably receive the screwthreaded stem of a valve member, 35 having a conical valve end portion 36- engageable with seat member l3 and controlling the port IS. A pair of oppositely positioned upstanding ears 31 on the inner periphery of flange 3| of the annular member 23 extend into edge recesses or apertures 33 in the carrier member flange portion 33 to hold the carrier member'32 against rotation so that the valve member 35 can be rotated relative thereto for screw-threaded adjustment. A

laterally movable annular spring disk member 40, having an inner marginal cone-shaped or oflset portion, receives the valve member 35 and has its peripheral portion abutting the abutment 30 and its oflset portion engaging the tubular member 32 to hold the flange portion 33 against the abutment 3|. An aperture 4| in the end wall 23 through which the valve member '35 extends l is of substantially larger diameter than the valve member35, the ears 31 are spaced from the side edges of aperture 38, and the tubular portion of carrier member 32 is laterally movable in the aperture through annular member 23 so that the valve member 35 is tree for guided lateral movement on the abutment 3|. In this manner we provide structure which makes it possible for the valve member 35, automatically upon movement to full closed seating position, to align itself with the valve. port l5 due to the sliding of the flange 'portion 33 on the abutment 3|. The valve member 35 however, having once been aligned with the port I5, is frictionally held in that position due to the resiliency of the disk member 40. -A helical coil spring 42 is positioned in chamber 5 and has one end extending into the annular space between the member 23 and the tubular portion ofcarrier member 32; and'seating against the horizontal flange of member 23 to holdit against the shoulder 28 and to continually urge th valve member 35 toward port l5. The other or lower end of spring 42 seats on an annular flange 43 of an abutment member 44 which has a cone-shaped or tapered recess 45 in its underside receiving the cone-shaped adjustment member portion 23 so that the spring 42 is held under compression and against expansive movement.

A diaphragm 50 has its peripheral portion sealed to the Plate-like member 1 adjacent the peripheral portion 3 and carries a pair of reenforcing plates 5|, 52, the plate 5| being secured to the underside of the diaphragm 5|! adjacent the hub portion 4, andthe reenforcin plate '52 being secured to the upperside of the diaphragm 53 away from the hub portion 4*.

horizontal portion 55 overlying and parallel to the diaphragm 50 and cooperable with a raised shoulder portion 55 of the reenforcing member 52 to limit, by engagement, outward movement of the diaphragm 50. Downward or inward movement of the diaphragm 50 is limited by the engagement of the plate -5| and the end of the hub portion 4 A helical coil compression spring 51 is held under compression intermediate a second spaced horizontal portion 53 of the platelike member 53 overlying and parallelto the diaphragm 50 and the reenforcing member 52. A cone-shaped portion 50 of the cap member 53 connects the spaced portions 55, 58 and cooperates with the spaced portion 58 to form a shoulder which acts as a means for locating the upper end of the coil spring 51. The lower end of the spring 51 surrounds and is held in correct oper ating position: by a raised, ofiset portion 53 of the member 52. A plurality of thrust members 5| have their upper end portions 62 abutting the underside of the reenforcing member 5| and extend downward therefrom through apertures 52" in the hub portion 4' and extension 2 and have their lower ends 33 engaging the upper suriace of the end wall 23. The spring 42 and 51 act to maintain 'the valve carrier member 21 and 1 the reeniorcing member 5| continually in engagement with the thrust members 5| so that downward and upward movement'of the diaphragm 5|| acts respectively to open and close the port |5 to flow of fluid. Adjustment of the relative forces of the springs 42, 51 by the adjustment member l3 determines the fluid pressure necessary on the top of the diaphragm relative to thaton the underside of the diaphragm to open the valve port |5 to fluid flow. This adjustment controls what is commonly known as the superheat of the valve.

The diaphragm 50 cooperates with the platelike member I and the hub portion 4 to form a sealed, pressure responsive, expans'ible-contractible chamber 55 supplied with fluid pressure from the chamber 5 due to the loose flt of the thrust members 5| in their apertures 62*. This loose'flt acts as a restricted flow orifice and prevents any sudden fluctuation of pressurewhich may occur within chamber 5 from being immediately transferred to the chamber 55 and cause the valve to chatter. The cap member 53 cooperates with the diaphragm 53 to form a second pressure responsive, expansible-contractible' chamber 33 which is separated from chamber A dished, v plate-like cap member 53 has a peripheral, up

communicatively connected to a, bulb element 61 through a conduit 68 sealed, as by solder, within a central aperture 89 of the horizontal portion 58. The chamber 68, bulb 61 and conduit 88 cooperate to form a sealed system 18 which contains a quantity of expansible-contractible, volatile fluid so that the fluid pressure varies within chamber 66 in accordance with the temperature of bulb 81. The quantity of volatile fluid in the system 18 is so proportioned relativeto the volume of the system that at temperatures of the bulb 61 substantially greater than the maximum operating temperature of the bulb,

the fluid will be in a vapor state and any further mined evaporator pressure to prevent overloading of the compressor, while at evaporator temperatures and consequently bulb temperatures within the normal operating range of the evaporator, the valve acts to supply liquid refrigerant to the evaporator to maintain liquid refrigerant substantially throughout the entire evaporator for the most efiicient operation thereof. The details of this type of operation are well known to those skilled in the art.

It is also well knownthat in a valve of this type the temperature of-the bulb 61 must be maintained as the coldest point in the system 18 so that the pressure within the system is substantially that corresponding to the vapor pressure of the liquid at the temperature of the bulb 61. This temperature is above-that of the re-" frigerant in chamber 5 and' in the evaporator, and the chamber 66 must therefore be maintained warmer than the chamber 5 to prevent distillation of the liquid from bulb 61 to the chamber 86, which would render the valve inoperative. In the structure shown and described, we utilize the heat of the incoming liquid refrigerant within the annular chamber II to maintain both of the chambers 65, 66 above the temperature corresponding to the vapor pressure of the refrigerant in chamber 5. It is to be noted that we maintain the neck portion or extension 2 of the valve casting I connecting the upper and lower portions thereof, and shown this manner we conserve the heat carried to the.

chamber II by the incoming warm liquid as long as possible and prevent the temperature of chamber 68 from assuming evaporator temperature during a long off cycle of the refrigerating apparatus. the exchange member 3, including that of the fluid within the chamber II, is preferably high in proportion to that of the valve casing 4, and fluid within the chamber 5, to further prevent the cooling of the chamber 65, 85 to the temperature of the valve casing 4. By utilizing this structure a. single diaphragm, gas charged, thermostatic valve can be used in ambient temperatures more closelyapproachi ng those of the evaporator than the gas charged valves of the prior art using the conventional double bellows The heat capacity of.

construction without the distillation of the charge from the bulb to the pressure-sensitive chamber. By utilizing the heat of the warm liquid'flowing to the valve to heat and maintain the chambers 85, 88 above evaporator temperature, the liquid becomes sub-cooled and the refrigerating capacity of the valve structure for a given orifice size is increased. This increased capacity and resultant smoother action isdue to the reduction of the volatilization of the liquid refrigerant necessary to bring the temperature of the incoming liquid refrigerant down to the evaporating temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator upon passage through the port I5.

Fig. 5 shows a modification of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 and comprises a metallic casting I5 having a heat exchange member 16 separated by means of an extension 'I'l from a valve casing 18. The exchange member 18 comprises a circuitous passageway or annular chamber 19 having an inlet 88 leading through a horizontal boss 8| and an outlet passageway 82 leading through a Wall of a hub portion 83 spaced from ,the inlet 88 so that the incoming fluid has a circuitous passage. The passageway 82 leads downwardly through the extension ll and into the valve casing I8, and fiow therethrough is controlled by means of a valve member (not shown) similar to the valve of Fig. 1, and controlled by means ofthrust pins 84. After metering by the valve member the fluid leaves the valve casing 18 through an outlet passageway in a horizontal boss 85. The thrust pins 84 extend upward through apertures 85*- in the extension I1 and hub portion 83 and are actuated by a pressure sensitive element which may be a diaphragm 86.

exchange member 16 and cooperates therewith to form a pressure sensitive chamber 88 commu-nicating with the valve casing 18 on the outlet side of the passageway 82 in 'a manner similar to that of Figure l. A cap member 89 overlies the member 81 and cooperates therewith to form a second pressure responsive chamber 98 having a capillary tube or conduit member 9I communicatively connecting the chamber 98 to a feeler bulb (not shown) similar to the bulb 61 of Fig. 1. a

Fig. 6 shows a still further modification, in which modification the numeral I88 designates a body member which is a metallic casting having an extension or neck portion .I8I separating a heat exchange member I82 from a valve casing I83. The exchange member I82 comprises a cirp cuitous or extended passageway I84 leading from an inlet I85 in a horizontal boss I86, and an outlet passageway I8l leading through a wall in a hub portion I88 remote from the inlet I85 so that incoming fluid has an extended flow passage within the exchange member I82. The outlet passageway I81 extends through the extension I8I and terminates in a valve controlled port (not shown) within the valve casing I83 in a manner similar to that of Fig. 1. Fluid leaves the valve casing I88 through a passageway within a boss I88. The hub portion I88 is joined to a neck portion I88a which extends above the exchange member I82 and carries a recessed end wall portion and cap member containing a pair of pressure sensitive chambers 8, III, similar to the chambers 88, 98 of Fig. 5, having a common pres-' sure sensitive member II2 which may be a diaphragm, as shown. The member 2 is operatively connecte'dto the valve member controlling The diaphragm 86 is sealed at its periphery to a recessed upper end wall 81 of the flow of liquid through passageway I01 by means of thrust pins or rods I I3 extending through apertures H4 in the hub portion I08 and extension IIJI. The apertures II4 cooperate with the rods II3 to form flow restricting passageways so that the fluid pressure within the valve casing I03 is communicated to chamber I,I0, but sudden and transitory fluctuations of fluid pressure in the casing I03 are not transferred to the chamber IIO to cause chattering of the valve member. The chamber III is part of a sealed, temperature responsive system'having a feeler bulb (not shown), similar to the bulb 61 of Fig. 1, communicatively connected by means of a conduit 5- In the construction of Figs. 1 and 5, the heat from the chambers I I and 19 respectively is transmitted to the chambers 65, 66 and 88, 90 respectively through walls I and 81 respectively, as well as heating hub portions 4 and 83 respectively, while in Fig. 6 the exchange member I02 acts more particularly to heat the hub portion I08 and thereby prevent any transfer of heat from the chambers IIO, III to the valve casing I03.

The operation of our apparatus is as follows: The valve shown is particularly adapted for use on a refrigerating system in which the liquid supply line is connected to the inlet boss I2 and the refrigerant evaporator inlet is connected to the outlet boss I3 in communication with passageways I2, I3 respectively. The bulb 61 is preferably secured in good heat exchange relation with the outlet of the evaporator so that it is sensitive to the temperature of the refrigerant leaving the evaporator. Warm high pressure liquid refrigerant flows from the source of supply into chamber II through the strainer member I4 and into passageway I3, giving off heat to maintain the chambers 65, 66 at a temperature above that of the liquid refrigerant in the evaporator and valve casing 4. Flow through the passageway I3 to the boss I3 is controlled by means of the valve member 35 cooperating with the valve port I5. The fluid pressure within chamber 5 is transmitted to the chamber 65 through the apertures 62 and increase in pressure within the chamber 65 tends to move the diaphragm 50 outwardly so that the spring 42 is operable to move the valve member 35 into valve closed position. Decrease in temperature of the refrigerant leaving the evaporator is accompanied by a corresponding decrease in temperature of the bulb 61, thereby lowering the pressure within chamber 66 tending to move the valve. member 35 to closed position. Decrease in temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator is accompanied by a decrease in pressure thereof, and consequently in the chamber 65, tending to move the valve member toopen position. The springs 42, 51 have their forces so balanced relative to each other, and to the fluid forces in chambers 65, 66 acting on the diaphragm 50, that during normal operation the valve member 35 will be moved toward open position when the temperature of the bulb 67 is slightly higher than the evaporating temperature of the refrigerant within the evaporator. The valve member35 will therefore act to maintain the evaporator substantially filled with evaporating liquid refrigerant during compressor operation, in a mannersimilar to that of prior art thermostatically operated refrigerant flow controlling valves. Enough heat is stored in the exchange member 3, and resistance to heat flow through the extension 2 is great enough so that during the off periods of the refrigerating compressor the chambers 65, 66 are not lowered to the temperature of the valve casing 4. The valve member 35 and its tubular carrier member 21 is frictionally held against the abutment 3I so that upon initial seating of the conical portion 36 against the valve seat member I6 the valve member 35 may move laterally of the carrier member 21 so that it aligns itself with the valve port I5. Upon subsequent operation of the valve member 35 it will maintain itself aligned and in cor-- rectly set position so that upon subsequent closin g, the valve member 35 is in the correct cooperating position.

' The operation of the valve of Fig. 5 is substantially the same as that of Fig. 1, and that of Fig. 6 differs only in the heating effect of the exchange member I02 which acts for the most part on the hub portion I08 rather than on the pressure chambers 0,. III.

It may therefore be seen that we have invented a new and useful apparatus which is easily manufactured and simple in operation for controlling flow of refrigerant to an evaporator which util.zes a single diaphragm and a so-called gascharged power element. We have also provided a new and improved means for securing a selfaligning valve needle.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a valve of the character described, a valve casing having a passageway therethrough, a valve member in said casing and controlling flow of fluid through said passageway, a hub member secured to said valve casing, a flange portion on said casing and surrounding said hub member, a plate-like member having a central aperture receiving said hub member, said hub member being sealed to said plate-like member, said plate-like member being sealed to said flange portion and cooperating therewith to form an annular chamher, said annular chamber having an inlet passageway for flow of fluid, and an outlet passageway on the other side of said hub member from said inlet and leading to said valve casing passageway.

' 2. In a valve of the character described, a valve casing having a passageway therethrough,

'a valve member in said casing and controlling flow of fluid therethrough, a hub member secured to said valve casing, a flange portion on said casing and surrounding said hub member, a plate-like member having a central aperture receiving said hub member and having a flange peripheral portion, said hub member being sealed at said aperture to said plate-like member, said plate-like member being sealed to said casing flange portion and cooperating therewith and with said hub member to form an annular chamber, said annular chamber having an inlet passageway for flow of fluid, an outlet passageway through said hub member and'leading from said annular chamber to said valve casing passageway, a diaphragm member overlying said platelike member and cooperating therewith to form a pressure chamber, means sealing said diaphragm member.to said flange peripheral portion, means for supplying fluid pressure from said valve casing to said pressure chamber, and means operatively connecting said diaphragm member and said valve member.

3. In a valve of the character described, a casing having at one end thereof a hub member and having a flange portion surrounding said hub member, said casing having an open ended chamber opening through its other end, a platelike member having a central aperture receiving said hub member, means sealing said hub member to said plate-like ,member, said plate-like member being sealed to said flange portion and cooperating therewith and with said hub member to form an annular chamber, said annular chamber having an inlet passageway for flow of fluid, an outlet passageway leading from said annular chamber to said open ended chamber,

a valve port within s'aid'outlet passageway adja- 1 cent said open ended chamber, valve means conchamber opening through its other end, a platelike member having a central aperture and a flange peripheral portion, said central aperture receiving said hub member, meanssealing said hub member to said plate-like member, said plate-like member being sealed to said casing flange portion and cooperating therewith to form member, a closure member having a central aperture receiving said hub member, said closure member being sealed to said hub member and to said flange portion and cooperating with said hub member and said flange portion to provide an annular chamber, said annular chamber having an inlet and an outlet for flow of fluid therethrough, said outlet extending through said hub.

member and leading to said valve member passageway.

7. In a valve of the character described, a valve casing having a valve chamber, a valve member in said chamber, a supportin member projecting from said casing, a flange portion projecting from said casing and surrounding said supporting member, a closure member sealed to said flange portion and to said supporting member to provide an inlet chamber, a passageway an annular chamber, said annular chamber hav ing an inlet passageway for flow of fluid, an outlet passageway leading from said annular chamber to said openended chamber and having a port, valve means controlling flow through said port, said open ended chamber having an outlet passageway leading therefrom, means closing the open end of said open ended chamber,

pressure sensitive means carried by said plate-,

like member and sealed tosaid flange peripheral portion, and means operably connecting said sensitivemeans and said valve means for movement thereof by said sensitive means.

5. In a valveof the character described, a casing, a diaphragm member sealed to one end portion of said casing and cooperating, therewith to form a pressure chamber, a cap member carried by said one casi g end portion and cooperating with said diaphragm member to form a second pressure chamber, means to supply pressure to said second pressure chamber, the other end portion of said casing having a valve chamber, said casing having a fluid inlet and .having a passageway therethrough affording rounding said connecting means and intercalated in said passageway. said casing having a pair of neck portionsof small sectional area p0- sitioned one on each side of said heating chamfrom said inlet chamber to said valve chamber and controlled by said valve member, a pressure responsive member secured and sealed to said closure member and forming a pressure chamber, said supporting member having a'guideway leading from said pressure chamber to said valve chamber, and a thrust member in said g-uideway and operatively connecting said responsive member to said valve member.

8. A valve comprising a casing having a valve chamber with an outlet, a cup-like flange member having an inlet port and projecting from said casing, a closure member s'ealed adjacent its periphery to said flange member and forming an inlet chamber, a pressure responsive member sealed to said closure member and forming therewith a pressure chamber, a guide supporting member within said inlet chamber and extending between and joining said closure member and said casing, said guide supporting member having an aperture therethrough opening atits opposite ends into said pressure chamber'and said valve chamber, saidcasing having a passageway leading from said inlet chamber and opening into said valve chamber, a valve member in said valve chamber and controlling flow through said passageway, and thrust means extending through said aperture and ,operatively connecting said responsive member and said valve member.

9. In a thermostatic expansion valve, a housing member including a valve casing member and a hollow heat exchange head member joined by an extension of trilateral cross-section having a substantially reduced cross sectional area relaber and cooperating with said heating chamber to retard flow of'heat from said second pressure chamber to said valve chamber, said casin having guideways therethroughsurrounding said passageway and establishing communication betweensaid valve chamber and said first-named tive to the cross sectional area of said casing member to restrict the transfer of heat from said heat member to said casing member, a valve member in said casing member and controlling flow through said conduit, a thermostatic power element on said heat exchange member and separated thereby from said casing member, and a plurality of thrust members extending through said head member and said extension adjacent its apices and operable to transmit movement from said power element to said valve member.

10. An expansion valve comprising a housing member having an intermediate neck portion, an outward flaring end wall extending from said portion and having a recessed seat in its end face, a closure plate having an aperture therethrough and having an annular shoulder engaging said seat and a continuous flange 'projec'ting from the. periphery of said shoulder, means sealing said shoulder to said seat to provide an inlet chamber, a guide supporting member extending from said housing within said chamber and having its free end projecting through and closin said plate aperture, said housing member having an enlargedportion extending from said neck portion opposite said end wall and providing a valve chamber, a pressure responsive member sealed to said shoulder and forming with said plate a pressure chamber, said neck portion having a passageway leading from said inlet chamber'to said valve chamber, a valve member in said valve chamber and controlling flow through said passageway, said guide member having a guideway therethrough from said inlet chamber to said valve chamber, and a thrust member in said guideway and operatively connecting said responsive member to said valve member.

11. In a thermostatic expansion valve, a valve casing having an inlet and an outlet, a valve member in and controlling flow through said casing, a heat exchange member on said casing, said heat, exchange member having an annular channel providing a central hub portion alined with said inlet, said hub portion having a passageway leading from said annular channel to said inlet, an annular member overlying said an nular channel and having its inner periphery sealed in fluid tight relation to said hub portion, said annular member having its outer periphery sealed in fluid tight relation to said heat exchange member, a thermostatic power element mounted on said heat exchange member and overlying said annular member and cooperable therewith and with said hub portion to provide a pressure chamber, means establishing communication between .said pressure chamber and said outlet, and means extending through and beyond said hub portion and through said annular member for operatively connecting said power element and said valve member.

12. In a valve of the character described, a valve casing having a valve chamber, a valve member in said chamber, a supporting member projecting from said casing, a flange portion secured to and surrounding said supporting member, a closure member in sealing relation to said flange portion and to said supporting member to provid an inlet chamber, a passageway from said inlet chamber to said valve chamber and controlled by said valve member, a pressure responsive member secured and sealed to said closure member and forming therewith a pressure chamber, said supporting member having a guideway leading from said pressure chamber to said valve chamber, and a thrust member in said guideway and operatively connecting said responsive member to said valve member.

13. In a thermostatic valve of the character described, a body member having a recessed rigid end wall portion, a substantially flat diaphragm member sealed to said body member and overlying said wall portion to form a pressure chamber, a cap member sealed to said body member and overlying said diaphragm member to form a second pressure chamber, means having a liquid containing portion and communicatively connected to and operable to supply vapor under pressure to said second chamber, said body member having a valve chamber and having a neck portion to restrict heat flow and positioned between said valve chamber and said second chamber, said neck portion having a passageway therethrough with its outlet concentric with said diaphragm member and opening into said valve chamber, said body member including a heating member having an annular chamber providing a central hub portion in continuation of and positioned between said neck portion and said end wall portion, said hub portion having a redial passageway extending through the inner wall of said annular chamber and intersecting said neck portion passageway, a tubular inlet passageway member projecting radially outward from the external wall of said annular chamber and diametrically opposite said radial hub passageway, valve means in said valve chamber controlling flow of fluid through said neck portion passageway, a supporting member in said valve chamber and carrying said valve means, said hub-and neck portions having guideways therethrough surrounding said neck portion passageway and extending from said first named pressure chamber to said valve chamber, thrust rods loosely fitting said guideways for transmission of fluid pressure therethrough and operatively connecting said diaphragm member and said valve means, and a tubular outlet passageway member extending from said valve chamber.

EARNESTJ.DIILMAN. WILLIAM E. COWLEY.

- CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,3 7,79 A September 12, 19M.

- I EARNEST J. ILLMAN, ET AL. H

'I't is'hereby certified thst error appears 1 n ;the printed spec1f1cation of the abovenunb'ered patehtfeouiring oo rrecti ori as follows Page 1, sec- 0nd column, line 5, before "endflinsezt -upper--; page 5, first column,

line Q, 'for 'a'e v aporator rea'd ai: evaporator--;"pege 5, second column, line 56; cla 1m'9;,. before "a" inureconduit leading from said hollow head member into said casihg men 1ber,-'-; end that the said Letters Patent should be reed with this correotion' therein that the same may conform to the reoord or the 536: 1r; the 1 teht o1 r1ce.- Signed apd sealed this 31st. day of" October, A.' 13.19%,

e i Leslie Frazer -(Sea1)- I g Actin'gIConfinissh merof Patents. 

